Spotlight on Kidney Disease

March 17th, 2016 No Comments

Seniors at Risk for Kidney Disease

March is National Kidney Month, which highlights awareness of kidney disease. More than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and 1 in 3 people in the U.S. are at risk. Unfortunately, many adults and seniors are not aware of this risk, so becoming informed about the risk factors and how to get tested for the disease can help in making the right choices to keep your kidneys working longer.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic kidney disease is a common condition that affects aging seniors, occurring primarily in those over the age of 60.

Along with age, those with the following personal background are at higher risk of developing kidney disease:

Members of your family have kidney disease
You have type 1 or type 2 diabetes
You have a history of smoking
You have cardiovascular disease
You have high blood pressure

According to both the CDC and National Kidney Foundation, senior adults who develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. It’s important that seniors with diabetes and high blood pressure get tested regularly for kidney disease. Although there are no early signs or symptoms for kidney disease, early detection can help prevent the progression to kidney failure.

If your older parent or loved one is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or another chronic illness, the best thing you can do is become educated on how to best help them.

Chronic kidney disease, like other illnesses, can impact many seniors’ ability to live independently at home. When older adults are diagnosed with chronic conditions, they may eventually become fearful of losing their freedom and autonomy. Visiting Angels can ease this fear by helping them remain independent and safe while remaining in their own home. Our Angels are trained to provide a range of in-home, non-medical home care services throughout Mercer and Burlington counties in New Jersey. These services include assistance with grooming, hygiene, dressing, walking, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, shopping, errands, and more. Call us at 609-883-8188 to learn how our Angels can enhance senior living.

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